Zerith

Oestreich

Starting out as the Edelsteinpost (“Gem Camps”) of the First Zerithian Empire, they became a de-facto independent state at the fall of the Empire. The common language shared with western Zerith, called Westron by modern scholars, diverged into the Reisen tongue that is no longer intelligible to Zerithian speakers.

The capital of Oestreich, the immense city of Zentrum rivals Langberg in size, is home to the Exchange, said to be the largest gem market in the world. Precious metals, gems and jewelry are the major exports of Oestreich. Much of the Oestreich’s well organized and well equipped military is occupied in guarding the roads from hundreds of mines to Zentrum, ensuring the safety of the caravans and patrolling against those bandits desperate enough to try for them. Surprisingly, given the long and accessible coastline of eastern Zerith, Easterners have never been sailors. Consequently, Oestreich maintains only a few Navy ships and a small merchant fleet. Trade with central and western Zerith is mostly via caravans through Kef Sirran, relying on Bedewe merchants to sell their wares in other markets.